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NYC production company IDENTITY is thrilled to add directing-and design-focused duo The Kaplans to its roster of innovative storytellers. Known for their visually striking, offbeat style and creative synergy, Laura and Sam Kaplan bring years of experience crafting campaigns for top brands like Dunkin, Tropicana and Michelob Ultra to name a few. Operating out of a state-of-the art film production space set inside a 200-year-old barn that serves as a 3,500-square-foot modern studio, The Kaplans blend their unique perspectives to push the boundaries of tabletop filmmaking. Their move to Identity aligns with the studio’s vision of championing bold, creative talent under the leadership of recently hired Managing Partner Gloria Colangelo. Check out the full announcement on shots : https://bit.ly/3BpnA4X

In the fourth edition of Ad Age's ‘AI Tools Agencies Are Embracing Right Now’ series, Ewan Larkin compiled a list of seven niche products advertising execs have been finding valuable lately. Forsman & Bodenfors Global Strategy Lead Tom Suharto shared his love for Google’s NotebookLM, an AI note-taking app which recently introduced a feature capable of producing AI-generated podcasts. Check out the full list here: https://bit.ly/3VlvDq8

On the latest episode of the Inspiring Futures podcast, host Edward Cotton sat down with YAMA GROUP Co-Founder/CCO Martin Stapff and ECD/Strategy Michelle Rigot to discuss the world of Pharma marketing, what matters in the space, and how the independent agency differentiated itself creating its own unique culture. Martin shared, “We have a tagline at YAMA: ‘Intensely Dedicated, Fiercely Creative', those are our main differentiators: creativity and dedication. When it comes to creativity, we go further than what's expected and usually seen in Pharma marketing. We’re a small agency with a pretty particular structure, but our team really shares an enormous commitment to what we do, are proud of the work and strongly dedicated. That’s what sets us apart from big agencies.” Michelle furthered, “As a company, our primary clients have a global reach, so on top of developing creative ideas, we also have the added layer of making sure our ideas resonate across geography. So when I think of the many different layers of challenges that we face in what we do, and the fact that we’re still creative, I’m very proud of what we do. I think about each member of this team and creative backgrounds, and it doesn't matter that we’re speaking to physicians; we are people interested in the world and are creative in our own right. So, it’s harnessing that amongst all these regulations and different layers that makes for very good work here at YAMA.” Check out the full episode here: https://bit.ly/4gcIsLw

NYC production company IDENTITY is thrilled to welcome Gloria Colangelo as Managing Partner! With decades of experience as an EP at companies like Assembly and MacGuffin Films, Colangelo is a celebrated leader in production, known for her unique vision, dynamic approach and extensive industry expertise. This appointment marks a significant evolution in both her career and in Identity’s trajectory, aligning her passion for shaping creative talent with the company’s bold vision. As Managing Partner, Colangelo will collaborate closely with Executive Producer Molly Mitchell to lead Identity in elevating visual storytelling to new heights. She’ll focus on expanding the company’s eclectic roster of directing talent, strategically driving growth and enhancing Identity’s evolving tabletop production capabilities. Her leadership aims to foster new creative opportunities and fresh perspectives for Identity’s clients. Check out the full announcement on shots here: https://bit.ly/40Rm1Hu

Creative Boom's Tom May recently queried a select group of creative leaders from some of the industry’s most innovative companies that included the likes of Wolff Olins and Red Antler to name a few for their thoughts on what’s ahead for 2025. ECD/Strategy Michelle Rigot of renowned pharma marketing agency YAMA GROUP weighed in on what she thinks the most significant challenge for creative agencies will be this coming year. "Not everything can or should be templatized, or AI-ised. The notion of 'creator' must still be at the core of what we do, and that starts with people who have the time to have thoughts that align to a singular creative vision." Check out the full story here: https://bit.ly/4fKr2pg

In Print Magazine latest edition of their ‘What Matters’ series, Debbie Millman asked Dean and Professor of Entrepreneurship and Urban Technology Anijo Mathew of the Institute of Design (ID) at Illinois Tech in Chicago, IL about some of his favorite and least favorite things in the world - and most notably, his first memory of being creative. “Ever since I was a child, I loved storytelling. My first memory of being creative was when I drew Transformers and GI Joe comics in the 8th grade—story, pencil, ink, speech bubbles…it was a big deal! Since then, I have used my architecture, design, and computer science background to tell new stories—stories of design and technology. In 2014, I applied my love of storytelling to build my startup, an urban storytelling platform. Today, I engage visitors to the Institute of Design using our 87-year history, our beautiful new building, and compelling student and faculty projects as a storytelling medium!” Check out what matters to Anijo here: https://bit.ly/3UNpwdX

Bader Rutter CEO David Jordan is the latest guest on Screen Magazine's ‘Five Questions with SCREEN' series! In this feature, David shares the best advice he’s ever received, what he’s looking forward to in the new year as Bader Rutter’s newest CEO, as well as his favorite project he’s ever worked on. “I have a special place in my heart for any idea that is built from a deep customer insight and intense business understanding. At Bader Rutter, our work solves business challenges and makes connections. A recent favorite is from our animal care client – Zoetis. We helped them launch a new documentary-style video series, Born of the Bond. The campaign tells authentic stories and aims to create human connections with audiences while also elevating the Zoetis brand in a way that creates long-term affinity. You can see the full series at www.BornoftheBond.com.” Check out the full interview here: https://bit.ly/4egMPnF

Check out how our friends at the Institute of Design (ID) are improving the health services space! And, how Associate Professor of Healthcare Design and Design Methods Kim Erwin is proving to all healthcare systems in need of a major redesign that a designer needs a seat at the table. Check out the full story of how ID helped map out UChicago's Hospital at Home initiative on Crain's Chicago Business here: https://bit.ly/3NEDDyc

It’s time to share the next phase of last year’s hit campaign, “The Workout Called Life” from Forsman & Bodenfors New York for Therabody! By way of (2) :30 spots targeting Millennial moms, Gen X, and Baby Boomers, this new iteration of the campaign shifts from an athlete focus to everyday wellness, making Theragun accessible to all. With more playful, emotional storytelling this time around, F&B helps Therabody expand its audience, cementing the Theragun as a go-to tool for recovery and wellness in modern life. F&B Global Strategy Lead Tom Suharto shares, “We know both of these audiences lead active lives and often miss out on the recovery their bodies need. With this work we wanted to challenge the perception that Theragun is too masculine or too intense. It really is a brand for every body in need of recovery.” Check out the quality coverage in Roastbrief here: https://bit.ly/4eEGLGm

In Creative Boom's latest installment of their Book Club series, Bruce Mau Design CCO Laura Stein shares her five favorite books covering topics such as groundbreaking ideas on sustainability and the art of personal and systemic change that continue to shape her creative journey. When referring to ‘MC24: 24 Principles for Designing Massive Change in Your Life and Work’ by Bruce Mau, Stein shares, “The book helps us understand that we have actively designed the many destructive systems that we live in and identifies the designers out there challenging those systems. MC24 is the next generation. The ultimate goal is still change — our planet needs change more than ever — but adding to systems change and perspective change, there is also personal change. And a focus on how to actually design change.” Check out the full list of recommendations here: https://bit.ly/4f683Fm